Chapter 8 The double betrayal

Stephanie

They say the only thing a girl needs is a good book and some coffee to get her through the midnight reading marathon.

Whoever said that was a friggin genius.

I had eventually decided that the seat by the glass window would be my reading corner. Hours after the awkward family dinner, I cramped the space with pillows and comfy blankets, then I settled for another reread of “Throne of Claws”.

But despite the good book, the perfect weather, and the coffee, I couldn't keep those voices out of my head. Those stupid voices that kept whispering to me. Sleep had evaded me.

“I've never seen anyone look so uncomfortable while embracing her closest friend, and looking so relieved when the said friend pulled away…” Kendrix had said hours ago and those words hadn't stopped haunting me.

I had tried everything not to think of those damning words, including pointedly ignoring him throughout dinner, but the words had found their mark.

I already feel like a monster for feeling that way about my childhood friend, Kendrix words had only confirmed it.

I blinked back the thoughts and focused on the fantasy smut in front of me, but the words blurred together, making it impossible to read. I raised the coffee mug to my lips and realized I had emptied the content.

I needed more coffee.

With a groan, I stood up from the comfort of my pillows and blankets and padded out of my room. I didn't know where the kitchen was. No one had given me a tour since I got here. Mum had been too tired to give me a tour when we got back but she promised to do it tomorrow morning. But I needed my coffee now.

The housekeeper, Maria, had brought me the coffee earlier and asked me to call her if I needed anything. But there was no way I would wake her up by two in the morning just to make me coffee.

It couldn't be that hard to find a kitchen, right?

But as I beheld the dark staircase and the creeping silence in the enormous space, I realized how wrong I was. I flinched at the tiniest sounds and debated running back into my room counties times before I even made it down the stairs.

After bumping into too many objects and cursing myself for not bringing my phone to use the flashlight, I finally found the kitchen, and fortunately, the light switch too. I flipped the kitchen lights on and began making my coffee.

It was easier to find everything I needed due to the meticulous arrangement. I waited for my coffee to brew and gave myself a mini tour of the kitchen. I did anything and everything to keep from sitting in the silence with nothing but my thoughts.

The only thing that could've pushed back the thoughts was the feeling of wind on my face and the leathery seat of my motorcycle. But I promised Mum, no more biking. I wouldn't break my promise, not even to push back the demons in my head.

The coffee was finally done and I headed to my room. I didn't bother switching the lights off the kitchen lights and let the reflection guide me up the stairs. The reflection had dimmed when I got up the stairs but I found my room easily.

Sipping my super hot coffee, I slipped into my room, more than ready to delve back into the fantasy world. It was only after the door clicked shut that I realized my mistake.

“Slipping into my room in the middle of the night, did you find me that irresistible, Princess?” that annoying voice echoed through the room.

Shit! I really should take that tour soon. How could I have accidentally entered Kendrix room?

“Wrong room.” I muttered and turned to leave when he stepped in front of me, giving me the full view of his very, very naked chest.

I had seen half naked men before. I mean, who hasn't?

Bradford High had it's own fair share of good-looking boys, especially football players. But I had never, and I mean never, seen one like Kendrix Sinclair's.

My gaze roamed his body, taking in the ripped muscles that was definitely a result of extended workouts, the eight packs abs—I kid you not, he had eight packs—and the heavy bulge in his silk pajama pants. And it was on that bulge that my eyes stayed.

Maybe it was because it's been so long since I felt a male’s touch, but I couldn't look away.

My fingers slipped and something hot splashed on my hand, jerking me out of my Kendrix-induced trance. I swore and jolted back, letting the mug clatter on the floor and the content spill.

My hands burned from the hot coffee that had spilled on me. Kendrix was instantly at my side.

“Shit!” he swore as he examined my hand. I debated snatching my hand from him but it hurt too much.

“Stay here, I'll go get some ice and the first aid kit.” Then he rushed out.

I gritted my teeth through the pain and stared at the broken mug on the floor. I should go after him and get a mug for the floor, but I couldn't get myself to go down the dark stairs again.

I couldn't stay here either, surrounded by his scent when I had practically drooled over him and spilled hot coffee on myself.

Nope, I'm out of here.

I stalked out of his room and went into mine, leaving the door halfway opened so he knew I was in. I might be embarrassed but I still needed the ice. I walked into the bathroom and flipped the faucet to extra cold. The water did little to numb the burning sensation.

“I brought the ice.” I heard his voice from my bedroom.

I took a breath, steadying myself and walked out of the bathroom. Thankfully, he had a shirt on. I didn't allow myself stare at him as I snatched the ice pack from him, muttering my thanks.

“Let me help you with that.” He made to collect the pack from me but I glared at him.

“I can handle myself. Get out.”

He had humiliated me, insulted me, and I had made a fool out of myself in his presence. I didn't want to be around him anymore.

Kendrix glared right back at me and snatched the ice pack from me. “You're going to let me help you.”

Before I could utter any retort, he knelt before me and placed the ice gently on my injured hand. My cheeks heated as his fingers grazed my skin gently, but I kept my face expressionless.

Fortunately, he hadn't brought up the way I embarrassed myself in his room. I had expected him to be smug about it and grab about his good looks, but he hadn't done that.

“What happened between you and your friend earlier today… it wasn't my place to comment on it.” he said without looking at me.

I blinked in surprise. “Are you apologizing to me?”

Another thing I hadn't expected from him. The way his body tightened was evidence that he wasn't used to the word.

“Not apologizing. More like admitting my mistake.” he winced.

“That's literally what apologizing means.” I snorted.

He glared at me and pressed the ice harder into my injured hand. I winced slightly.

“Asshole.” I muttered, he flashed me an evil grin in response.

“What I was trying to say in the earlier is if you'd like to go somewhere tomorrow night.”

My brows furrowed in suspicion. “Where?”

“Someplace I'm sure you'll enjoy. Consider it a tour of your new neighborhood.” he shrugged.

“And why would you give me a tour?”

“Because I'm so kind and you're bored to hell in this shithole.” he gave me a knowing look. “Also, you would get to meet a lot of KSE students before school resumes.”

I would rather stay holed up in this room and read me books than meet anyone, but he was right. I was getting bored of being alone all the time. I didn't want to be alone anymore.

“I'll have to check my schedule and get back to you.” I said in a sickeningly sweet voice. I grinned as annoyance flared in his gray eyes.

“Patiently waiting for your response, Princess.” Sarcasm dripped in his tone as he said the last word.

I was about asking why he insisted on calling me that when he rose to his full height, he began walking out with the melted ice pack.

I slumped on the bed and breathed. In the silence, the thoughts crept in on me again. I couldn't go back to reading so I grabbed my phone instead.

Emily had gone to some party tonight. Even though I normally wouldn't, I found myself going to her Instagram page. I hardly use Instagram, I couldn't even remember the last time I was on the app. But the intense boredom tonight pushed me to it.

I clicked on Emily's story from the party, a smile touching my lips as I saw her having fun. A message popped up on my phone from an unknown number.

“I bet you didn't know they've been together for months now. You're welcome.” the text read with a video attached to it.

Confused, I clicked on the video and immediately wished I hadn't. I wished I had ignored the text instead. But it was too late to regret anything now.

My eyes widened in horror as I watched another nightmare play out, as I watched Emily kissing Noah passionately at the party she was in.

My heart cleaved open.